Golovkin wants WBO champ Saunders because the Traveller holds the only major middleweight title not in the Kazakh's collection.

But Saunders, who makes the belated first defence of his crown tomorrow night against Russian Artur Akavov in Paisley, claims he would be too cute for Golovkin.

"I'm not stupid," said the unbeaten Hatfield fighter, who is 23-0. "I know I can't beat Golovkin physically in a trade-up.

"I can beat him by being smart and cute, breaking his rhythm, establishing my own. And let me tell you, if Kell Brook could catch him, I can catch him. And, with those small gloves, any fighter can cut and bust up their opponent if they land often enough.